• Call your local WIC clinic
  • If your card is lost or stolen
  • If you’re having problems with your card
  • If you have questions about WIC foods or the amounts
  • If you were not able to buy a food that you think is WIC approved
• If your local WIC clinic is not open or you cannot reach them call the WIC State Agency customer service line at:
  • Phone: (207) 287-3991
    In-state Toll Free:
    1-800-437-9300
    TTY: Maine relay 711

Q: Do I have to get all of my WIC foods?

A: No, it is not a violation if you choose to purchase less or none of the WIC foods prescribed to you.

Q: Can I replace foods I don’t use with another food?

A: A few substitutions are allowed for some foods. Contact your WIC local agency to discuss your options and to have your food benefits changed. No substitutions may be made at the store.

Q: May I feed my WIC foods or my child’s WIC foods to other members in my household?

A: The WIC foods are meant only for the person who was issued the benefits. If those in your home receiving WIC benefits do not eat a certain WIC-provided food, either do not get it at the store or ask your WIC local agency staff to remove it from your benefits.

Q: What should I do if I reduce or stop breastfeeding?

A: Contact your WIC local agency. You will meet with a nutritionist and discuss the options available to you.

Q: Will my benefits roll over to the next month if they are not used?

A: No. Any WIC food benefits not purchased that month will not carry over to the next month.

 

Use the “Find a WIC Office” button in the WICShopper app.  You can get directions to your clinic and call them right from the app.

 

WIC Shopping

1. Reveiw the “WIC Food Guide” from the button on the main menu in WICShopper.  The guide will identity all household food benefits available with WIC.
2. Shop only at approved WIC retailers that are identified under the “WIC Stores” button in WICShopper.
3. Tell the cashier you are using an WIC card before items are scanned.
4. Inform the cashier if you have any coupons you would like to use.
5. The WIC-approved food items will be deducted from the eWIC card.
6. Check the receipt to ensure the items are correctly deducted and press the key to confirm your purchase.
7. If you purchase non-WIC items, the cashier will ask you how you would like to pay for those items.
8. When the WIC transaction is complete, you will be prompted to remove your card and a tone or beep will sound.
9. The cashier will give you a receipt with your remaining balance for the current month.
10. Make sure you have your eWIC card and receipt when you leave the store.
11. Unused benefits will not carry over to the next month.

Scanning Coming Soon!

Soon, you will be able to scan products at the store to determine if they are WIC-eligible.  We will announce as soon as this feature is available!

Q: I scanned some foods or entered a UPC number and see some different messages.  What do they mean?

A: Messages are:

• Allowed – This item is WIC eligible! One thing to know is you might see an item is allowed, but it’s not part of your WIC food benefits, so you can’t buy it with WIC. For example, a fully breastfeeding mother gets canned fish. If a fully breastfeeding woman is not in your family, canned fish will not be part of your WIC food benefits, and you will not be able to buy canned fish at the register.
• Not Enough Benefits – You were prescribed these benefits, however you do not have enough left in this category to purchase the product you scanned.
• No Eligible Benefits – This means that you scanned a WIC eligible product, but it’s not part of your WIC food benefits, so you can’t buy it with WIC. For example, a one year old child gets whole milk. If you don’t have a one-year-old child in your family, whole milk won’t be part of your WIC food benefits, and you won’t be able to buy whole milk at the register.
• Not a WIC item – This means WIC hasn’t approved this item. If you think you should be able to buy this food with WIC food benefits, let us know by using the “I couldn’t buy this!” button in this app.

Q: I tried scanning fresh fruits and vegetables.  Either they don’t scan or they come up as not allowed. Why?

A: The app can’t scan fresh fruits and vegetables and sometimes the stores use their own packaging.  However, all whole, pre-cut, sliced or individual serving sizes without sauces or dips are allowed. There are some other rules, so refer to your Food Shopping Guide in the app for more details.

Q: When would I use, “I couldn’t buy this!”? And what is it?

A:  “I couldn’t buy this!” lets you tell WIC when a food item you’re trying to buy is denied at the register. When you use, “I couldn’t buy this!” in the WICShopper app, the WIC state agency will get a notice.  The WIC state agency will review all items submitted and work with stores to make allowed foods available to you!

For information on any of the following benefits and services visit:

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/wic/

• WIC checks for nutritious foods
• Nutrition education and counseling
• Breastfeeding education and support
• Immunization screening and referrals
• Referrals for free or reduced cost health care
• Referrals to health or social services

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Revised September 2020

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)  mail:      U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)  fax:        (202) 690-7442; or

(3)  email:    [email protected].

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.